FERTAN im Fokus: Der ultimative Guide zu Rostumwandler, Hohlraumschutz und Co. So wenden Sie die Profi-Produkte richtig an, um Ihren Oldtimer effektiv vor Rost und Wertverlust zu schützen.
Einwintern ohne Kompromisse: Erfahren Sie, wie Sie mit Druckluft, frischem Öl und Kraftstoff-Stabilisator teure Standschäden vermeiden. Alles, was Sie wissen müssen, damit Ihr Klassiker im Frühjahr sofort startklar ist.
Classic cars are made to be driven – why standing still does more harm than good.
Classic cars exert a timeless fascination. Many owners see them as investments best left in the garage. This is a misconception: vehicles thrive on being driven – not on sitting idle. Those who don't drive their classic cars risk damage from disuse, diminish the driving pleasure, and miss out on what these automobiles are truly about: pure emotion on the road.
1. Why stagnation is bad for classic cars
Technology needs to be moved: engines, transmissions, and braking systems are designed for operation. Without movement, deposits build up and seals harden.
Damage from prolonged periods of inactivity is a risk: Porous tires, seized brakes, depleted batteries and brittle hoses are typical consequences.
Depreciation instead of value retention: A neglected, unused classic car loses substance – and therefore also market value.
2. Classic cars as an experience – not as museum exhibits
A classic sports car is more than an investment. It's a piece of cultural history that only comes alive when driven.
The sound of an air-cooled engine.
The mechanical feel when shifting gears.
The smell of leather and gasoline.
This experience cannot be preserved in a static garage – it can only be created on the road.
3. Get out and drive – the philosophy behind classic car ownership
Emotion before profit: Don't treat your classic car like a bank safe deposit box, but as a source of unforgettable moments.
Authentic care: Regular movement keeps technology and materials healthy – better than any tarpaulin.
Experience community: Outings, meetings and rallies bring like-minded people together and let the vehicles have their impact where they belong: on the road.
Overview – Risks of idle time & benefits of driving
Theme
Risk during standstill
Advantage during movement
Engine & Transmission
Deposits, hardened seals
Lubrication is maintained, everything remains functional.
Tires
Flat spots, material fatigue
Even wear, improved safety
brakes
Seized saddles, rust formation
Clean operation, even wear
Battery & Electrical System
Discharge, corrosion
Regular charging, reliable technology
Overall impression
Loss of substance and value
Preservation, care and genuine joy
Conclusion
Classic cars are not silent investments, but rolling time capsules. They thrive on movement, sound, and emotion. Those who simply leave their classic car parked not only risk technical damage, but also miss out on the essential element: the feeling of freedom, character, and pure driving pleasure.
Get out and drive – that's what these cars were built for.
Interior preparation – upholstery, leather & plastic care with Koch-Chemie professional products
A clean interior not only promotes well-being, but also contributes to the value retention of the vehicle. Koch-Chemie professional products and the appropriate accessories ensure professional care for upholstery, leather, and plastics.
1. Upholstery & textiles – deep pore cleaning without residue
Product: Pol Star
Application: textiles, upholstery, Alcantara, leather surfaces
Properties: Neutral cleaner, removes deep-seated dirt without water marks
Advantages: Protects existing impregnations, has a preservative effect
Accesories:
Textile & upholstery brushes with soft bristles for fiber depth
Microfiber cloths with high absorbency for removing dirt
Wet/dry vacuum cleaner for thorough final cleaning
2. Leather – clean and keep it supple
Products: Pol Star (cleaning) + Protect Leather Care (care)
Cleaning: Gentle removal of dirt with Pol Star
Care: Protect Leather Care maintains suppleness, refreshes color and protects against drying out
Accesories:
Leather brushes with natural bristles – ideal for fine pores
Application sponges for even distribution of care
Soft microfiber cloths for gentle polishing
3. Plastics in the interior – clean, care & protect
Product: Top Star
Application: fittings, panels, plastic and rubber parts
Properties: Cleans & cares, UV protection, antistatic, satin shine
Accesories:
Microfiber applicator pads for even application
Microfiber cloths with short pile for polishing
4. Universal interior cleaner – for heavy soiling
Product: Green Star (highly diluted)
Application: Stubborn dirt on door sills, rubber mats, plastic
Properties: Powerful all-purpose cleaner (always use diluted indoors)
Accesories:
Detailing brushes for narrow gaps and ventilation grilles
All-purpose cloths for rough cleaning work
Overview – Professional Products & Accessories
Area
Product(s)
Accessory recommendation
Upholstery/Textiles
Pol Star
Upholstery brush, absorbent microfiber cloth, wet/dry vacuum cleaner
leather
Pol Star + Protect Leather Care
Leather brush, application sponge, soft microfiber cloth
Plastic/fittings
Top Star
Microfiber applicator pad, short microfiber cloth
Heavy pollution
Green Star (diluted)
Detailing brush, robust microfiber cloth
Conclusion
With Koch-Chemie professional products and the right accessories, you can achieve interior care that meets the standards of professional detailers:
Pol Star for textiles and leather, supported by brushes and wet vacuum cleaners.
Protect Leather Care for sustainable leather care.
Top Star for plastic surfaces with UV protection and a satin finish.
Green Star for particularly stubborn cases.
Microfiber cloths, brushes, and applicator pads are indispensable tools for an even, gentle finish.
Koch Chemie polishing pads in comparison – which pad for which application?
Choosing the right polishing pad is crucial to the results of a paint job. Pads differ not only in color, but also in hardness, abrasive performance, and application. Koch Chemie offers a coordinated system of various foam pads, each perfectly suited to its polishes. This article explains the differences and shows which pad is best suited for each application.
Heavy Cut Foam Pad
Properties: Very coarse structure, high abrasion
Application: Removal of deep scratches, severe weathering and sanding marks
Matching polish: Heavy Cut H9.02
Special feature: Maximum defect correction, but only suitable as a first step
Fine Cut Foam Pad
Properties: Medium hardness, balanced ratio of removal and finish
Application: Removal of light to medium scratches and swirls
Matching polish: Fine Cut F6.01
Special feature: Ideal for corrective grinding after heavy cut or as a 1-step for moderate defects
Medium Cut Foam Pad
Properties: Harder than Fine Cut, softer than Heavy Cut
Area of application: Moderate paint defects when more correction power is required
Matching polish: One Cut & Finish P6.02
Special feature: Allows defect correction and good finish in one step
Micro Cut Foam Pad (Soft & Hard)
Properties Soft: Very soft, hardly abrasion, ideal for sensitive paints
Properties Hard: Denser structure, slightly more abrasion, remains dimensionally stable under pressure
Application: Removal of finest scratches, holograms and for the final finish
Matching polishes: Micro Cut M3.02 or Micro Cut & Finish P3.01
Special feature: Guarantees a hologram-free high-gloss finish, perfect on dark paints
Polish & Sealing Foam Pad
Properties: Very soft structure, almost no abrasion
Application: Applying finishing polishes, waxes or sealants
Suitable products: Micro Cut & Finish P3.01 or paint sealants
Special feature: Ensures even application of protective products without streaks
Overview of pads and polishes
Pad type
Grinding force
Typical application
Recommended polish
Heavy Cut Foam Pad
Very high
Deep scratches, severe defects
Heavy Cut H9.02
Medium Cut Foam Pad
Medium-high
Medium defects, all-round correction
One Cut & Finish P6.02
Fine Cut Foam Pad
Medium
Light to medium scratches, swirls
Fine Cut F6.01
Micro Cut Foam Pad Soft
Very low
High-gloss finish, sensitive paints
Micro Cut M3.02, P3.01
Micro Cut Foam Pad Hard
Small amount
Hologram removal, hard varnishes
Micro Cut M3.02, P3.01
Polish & Sealing Pad
Minimal
Applying finishes & sealants
Micro Cut & Finish P3.01, protective products
Conclusion
With the various Koch Chemie polishing pads you get the right solution for every paint correction:
Heavy Cut for rough defects,
Fine and Medium Cut for medium scratches,
Micro Cut for the perfect finish,
Polish & Sealing for protection and shine.
The pads are precisely tailored to Koch Chemie polishes – so you, as a home user or professional, can achieve optimal results with a systematic and planned approach.
Changing the oil in your classic car the right way – with LIQUI MOLY
An oil change in classic cars is much more than just draining and refilling the engine oil. Older engines, in particular, benefit from a structured approach that cleans the engine, removes deposits, and provides long-term protection with modern additives. LIQUI MOLY offers a perfectly coordinated range for this: from engine flushes and high-quality oils to protective additives for the engine, fuel system, and transmission.
1. Engine flushing – the clean start
Before adding fresh oil, it's worth flushing the engine. This removes deposits, sludge, and old residue that have built up over the years.
LIQUI MOLY Pro-Line engine flush is added to the warm used oil shortly before draining.
The flushing process cleans the inside of the engine, keeps oil channels clear, and allows the new oil to develop its full effect.
This step is particularly valuable for classic cars that have been standing for a long time.
2. High-quality engine oil – the heart of the
After flushing and changing the oil filter, fresh oil is added. Robust multigrade oils are suitable for classic cars, as they provide a stable lubricating film even in fluctuating temperatures.
LIQUI MOLY HD engine oils (e.g. 15W-40) are classics for historic vehicles.
LIQUI MOLY Molygen New Generation oils or special Top Tec oils offer the latest additive packages if the engine is approved for them.
The choice depends on the year of manufacture and the engine's characteristics. Important: Always consider the manufacturer's specifications and the condition of the engine.
3. Additives for the engine – wear protection and smooth running
In addition to the oil itself, additives offer decisive advantages:
LIQUI MOLY Ceratec : A state-of-the-art ceramic additive that reduces friction, minimizes wear, and ensures smoother engine running. Ideal even for older engines.
LIQUI MOLY MoS₂ Additive : The classic solid lubricant. Particularly proven in older engines operating with larger tolerances.
LIQUI MOLY Oil Loss Stop : Can help with minor leaks in the engine by regenerating seals.
These additives are added directly to the fresh oil and distribute themselves as it warms up.
4. Gasoline additives – protection for the fuel system
The fuel system of older vehicles also deserves special attention. Deposits on injectors or carburetors, condensation in the fuel tank, or low-quality fuel can cause problems.
LIQUI MOLY offers various solutions:
Gasoline system cleaner : Removes deposits on valves, injectors or carburettors.
Valve protection additive : Important for vintage cars without hardened valve seats when running on unleaded fuel.
Gasoline stabilizer : Protects against fuel aging during extended periods of inactivity – a must for seasonal vehicles.
5. Transmission additives – smooth gear shifts
The transmission can also benefit: Older manual or automatic transmissions in particular are sensitive to wear.
LIQUI MOLY Gear Oil Additive MoS₂ : Ensures smoother gear shifts, reduces running noise and extends the service life of the gears.
LIQUI MOLY Automatic Transmission Cleaner : Helps remove dirt and deposits from the transmission before an oil change.
This also ensures that the power transmission remains protected for a long time.
6. Step-by-step procedure for changing the oil in a classic car
Warm up the engine so that the used oil is thin.
Fill with LIQUI MOLY engine flush and let it idle briefly.
Drain old oil , change oil filter.
Fill with fresh LIQUI MOLY oil according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Add additives : Ceratec, MoS₂ or oil loss stop as required.
Start the engine and let it warm up , the additives will distribute themselves.
Optional: Maintain the fuel system with LIQUI MOLY gasoline additives.
Optional: Change transmission oil if necessary and optimize with additive.
Conclusion – All-round protection for classic cars
A simple oil change is often not enough to preserve the mechanical system in classic cars over the long term. With a LIQUI MOLY engine flush, you lay the foundation, with a high-quality LIQUI MOLY oil, you ensure lubrication, and with additives such as Ceratec, MoS₂, and fuel and transmission additives, you ensure long-lasting protection.
LIQUI MOLY offers a holistic system that is perfectly coordinated – so that your classic car runs reliably, shifts quietly, and provides long-lasting enjoyment.
Car polishing done right – step-by-step with Koch Chemie
Professional paintwork restoration begins long before the actual polishing. For ambitious home users who want to achieve perfect results, a clear process is essential: thorough cleaning, decontamination, a gradual polish, and a final sealant. Koch Chemie offers a comprehensive range of products that optimally cover each of these steps.
1. Pre-wash & thorough cleaning
Before you start using clay and polish, the paint must be completely clean. This is the only way to avoid dirt particles later acting like sandpaper.
Hand wash with pH-neutral shampoo (e.g. Gentle Snow Foam) for a gentle pre-wash
Insect remover or alkaline pre-cleaner if necessary
Rinse and dry thoroughly to avoid water spots
2. Knead – smooth the paint surface
After pre-washing, the paintwork is clean, but often still contains embedded particles (tar, rust film, industrial deposits). You can feel these when you gently run your hand over the paintwork.
Use cleaning clay in combination with a suitable lubricant
Blue clay for light soiling
Red clay for heavier contamination
Important: Apply only light pressure to avoid scratches
The result is a noticeably smooth surface – the ideal base for polishing.
3. Polishing – Remove defects, build shine
Now comes the most important step: polishing. This depends on the condition of the paint and your goals. Koch Chemie offers a multi-stage system that can be flexibly adapted:
Heavy Cut (e.g. H9): for severe defects such as deep scratches or grinding marks
Fine Cut (e.g. F6): for medium swirls and car wash scratches
Micro Cut (e.g. M3.02 or M2.02): for the finest scratches, holograms and the high-gloss finish
Micro Cut & Finish P3.01: if you want to polish and seal in one step
The choice of pads is crucial: hard pads for major defects, medium pads for corrective work, soft pads for the finish.
4. Sealing – protection for the result
Polishing without a sealant is like a freshly waxed floor without a protective coating: The results won't last long. There are several options for permanently protecting the paint:
1K Nano: high-quality long-term sealant with very good durability and strong beading properties
Micro Cut & Finish P3.01: if you prefer an integrated solution and want to save the extra step
Quick alternatives: spray sealants or waxes if you want to keep things simple
Conclusion – the perfect process for ambitious home users
A successful vehicle polish is not a coincidence, but the result of a clear system:
Pre-wash – gently clean, remove dirt
Kneading – removing embedded particles, smoothing the surface
Polishing – depending on the severity of the defect, work with Heavy Cut, Fine Cut or Micro Cut
Sealing – protecting the result in the long term
With the coordinated products from Koch Chemie, you can easily implement this process at home – and achieve results that come very close to professional standards.
Koch Chemie Micro Cut M2.02 vs. M3.02 – a detailed comparison for ambitious home users
Choosing the right polish determines whether a paint job just "looks good" or whether it achieves maximum depth, clarity, and mirror shine . Koch Chemie offers two products, Micro Cut M2.02 and M3.02 , that appear very similar at first glance: both are so-called "micro polishes" developed for fine defects and high-quality finishes. However, a closer look reveals significant differences in abrasive performance, gloss level, application area, and handling .
For semi-professional home users who regularly maintain their vehicles and value professional results, it is important to know: When should I use the M2.02 – and when should I use the M3.02?
Koch Chemie Micro Cut M2.02 – the finishing specialist
The M2.02 is a product designed without compromise for fineness and brilliance . It has a comparatively low sanding performance, but delivers a finish that is almost perfect, even on critical, dark paints.
Sanding grade: approx. 2.5 (very fine, only minor defects are removed)
Gloss level: extremely high (9–10 out of 10)
Application: Removal of holograms, micro-scratches, very light washing scratches
Pads: soft to medium finishing pads (e.g. black, red or orange, depending on the manufacturer)
Machine: ideal for eccentric polishers, but can also be used with rotary machines
Special feature: creates an absolutely hologram-free finish, even on sensitive, dark paints
Typical application: The M2.02 is typically used as the final polishing step after a stronger polish (e.g., Koch Chemie F6.01 or H9.01) has been used. It removes the fine marks left by coarser polishes or pads and ensures a finish that appears flawless even under direct sunlight or LED lighting. Anyone aiming for a show car finish can't go past the M2.02.
Koch Chemie Micro Cut M3.02 – the all-rounder
Unlike the M2.02, the M3.02 is not just designed for the final polish, but combines light to medium defect correction with a high shine . This makes it ideal for users who want to achieve visible improvements with just one product.
Sanding grade: approx. 3.2 (slightly stronger, even medium defects can be removed)
Gloss level: high (approx. 9 out of 10)
Area of application: light to medium swirls, wash scratches, beginning oxidation
Pads: medium-hard to soft (e.g. orange or yellow, depending on the manufacturer)
Machine: also very good on eccentric, but also rotary processing
Special feature: enables 1-step polishing – defect correction and finishing in one step
Typical application: The M3.02 is perfect for paintwork that is visibly worn but not heavily scratched. For example, if you want to restore an everyday vehicle that has light scratches and a dull shine from car washes and weathering, the M3.02 can remove the defects and create a rich shine in a single step. This saves time and product usage.
Differences in application
Both polishes are very user-friendly, but differ in details:
Processing time:
M2.02 requires a little more patience, as it should be extended as long as possible to achieve the high-gloss finish.
M3.02 brings visible results faster because it has a stronger “grip”.
Pad selection:
M2.02 unfolds its potential with soft to medium-hard pads to achieve a streak-free finish.
M3.02 benefits from medium-hard pads that support its correction performance.
Finish quality:
M2.02 delivers the highest brilliance and absolute hologram freedom.
M3.02 produces a strong gloss image, but the final fineness is slightly lower than that of M2.02.
Conclusion – which polish for whom?
The decision between M2.02 and M3.02 depends on the user's goals:
Choose the M2.02 if…
you want to achieve a perfect, show-worthy finish.
the paint is already largely free of defects and only the last holograms need to be removed.
you want to treat particularly sensitive, dark varnishes.
Choose the M3.02 if…
you want to correct light to medium defects and create shine in one step.
you maintain an everyday vehicle where perfection is not the top priority, but a visibly improved result should be achieved quickly.
you want to save time without sacrificing a good finish.
Many ambitious detailers combine both products: First, they correct defects with the M3.02 , then perfect the finish with the M2.02 . This provides both solid correction performance and the ultimate high-gloss result.